Recap by phillip woo

Firming favourite Meridian Treasure worked a bit to eventually hold a spot near the rails in second, forced five deep upon straightening by the leader Seasons Star, rushed to the front 150m out and just held off the late surge of Rainbow Fighter for the win over his preferred 1,200m at this course. Rainbow Fighter made his run second from the rear after breaking sluggishly, hit the straight four-to-five deep, switched two off the rails at the 300m and finished up willingly to make it close at the wire with a key drop in grade. Creative Union travelled effectively one-out, one-back, rallied six deep upon straightening and wore down Seasons Star close to the wire for third. Sunny Pearl was a handy fourth along the rails, shuffled back to a position behind midfield at the 400m, stayed to the inside upon straightening and ran on steadily to edge a tiring Seasons Star in the shadows of the post. Seasons Star worked hard from a wide gate to eventually find the front one off at the 600m, bumped while cornering three deep and grudgingly gave way over the final 100m. He only needs to draw a gate to be winning at this level. Fujian Spirit doing some nice work late.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (196)-HANSHIN HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Metres

On arrival at the Start, the tongue tie applied to SPOKE TO CARLO was refitted.

SPOKE TO CARLO began only fairly and then on jumping was crowded for room between RED COURAGE and BRILLIANT CHARIOT which shifted in.

From wide barriers, RAINBOW FIGHTER and FUJIAN SPIRIT were taken across behind runners shortly after the start.

Near the 1000 Metres, SPOKE TO CARLO was checked when crowded for room between RED COURAGE and CREATIVE UNION which, when over-racing, shifted out away from the heels of SUNNY PEARL which got its head on the side and shifted out making the turn.

As the Stewards were of the opinion that there was no rider error involved in this incident, no further action was taken.

Near the 800 Metres, CREATIVE UNION was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MERIDIAN TREASURE.

Near the 600 Metres, KIDS AND WIN became unbalanced after making contact with the running rail when being steadied away from the heels of MERIDIAN TREASURE which was taken in by SEASONS STAR when only just clear of KIDS AND WIN.

SUNNY PEARL, which was following, was hampered in consequence, shifted out and in doing so bumped SPOKE TO CARLO.

For some distance after this, SUNNY PEARL and SPOKE TO CARLO raced tight and passing the 500 Metres SUNNY PEARL was checked and became badly unbalanced when crowded for room inside SPOKE TO CARLO which got its head on the side and shifted in marginally when unbalanced due to being bumped by SUNNY PEARL.

NEWS SUPREME, which was following, was checked away from the heels of SUNNY PEARL in consequence and shifted out, resulting in RAINBOW FIGHTER being crowded for room inside BRILLIANT CHARIOT.

Making the turn after the 600 Metres, CAPTAIN AMERICA got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of BRILLIANT CHARIOT.

FUJIAN SPIRIT, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of CAPTAIN AMERICA in consequence.

For a short distance on entering the Straight, SEASONS STAR and MERIDIAN TREASURE raced tight.

Shortly after entering the Straight, SUNNY PEARL was shifted in away from the heels of KIDS AND WIN which was giving ground.

After the 300 Metres, CREATIVE UNION got its head on the side and was inclined to lay out under pressure.

Throughout the race, BRILLIANT CHARIOT travelled wide and without cover.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that RED COURAGE had sustained a minor laceration above the right hock.